Apple announced a new design for the iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display and A20 Pro chip on October 26, 2026, and a slimmer form factor. Preorders begin October 28, with deliveries starting November 6. Wi-Fi costs $699 in the United States, while cellular is priced at $849.
This upgrade rectifies many of the compromises of the 2024 model but the buying decision is not as easy as the new specs would lead you to believe. The CPU and Neural Engine configuration of the processor will vary with the storage capacity, and the display is capped at 60Hz.
OLED Better Contrast, Not Faster Scrolling
Apple has shrunk the bezels by 24 percent, enabling it to fit an 8.5-inch OLED panel into the same footprint as the 8.3-inch LCD it replaced. OLED’s individual pixels can turn off, which helps black levels and contrast. The peak brightness of the screen is 600 nits for full-screen content and 1,200 nits for HDR highlights. But that peak brightness is not for normal full-screen brightness.
Its display is still 60Hz with no ProMotion. If you’re a reader who cares about high-refresh gaming and smooth scrolling, don’t confuse OLED for a 120Hz upgrade. For an extra $100, you can select the nano-texture finish that reduces glare, available only on 256GB and 512GB storage configurations.
Its Wi-Fi version of the new tablet weighs 255 grams and is 5.4mm thin. It also gets IP67 protection against water and dust, a first for the mini. Apple does warn that the resistance may degrade with use and liquid damage is not covered by warranty.
Apple’s 512GB model has different processing hardware.
Apple A20 Pro is built on a 2-nanometer process and features a seven-core GPU. The new mini has a “multithreaded” CPU that is “up to 60% faster,” graphics that are “2.7 times faster,” and AI processing that is “4.5 times faster” than the previous mini, the company said. (Those numbers are from the company’s own testing in September, not from published independent benchmarks.)
Those headline figures need to be seen in context. The 256GB and 128GB versions have a five-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine. The 512GB model has two 16-core Neural Engines and a six-core CPU. So storage choices matter more than just file space these days. Especially for consumers who plan to run sophisticated AI models on their own devices.
Other hardware changes are more uniform between the versions. Cellular units use the C2 modem, while Apple’s N1 chip combines Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The new speaker design uses the display assembly as part of the acoustic system and the 12 megapixel Center Stage front camera moves to the landscape edge.
Siri AI and external displays are dependent on software conditions.
Apple’s tablet comes with the iPadOS 27 pre-installed. However, Apple has tied the beta version of Siri AI and the extended external-display mode with the iPadOS 27.2. Siri AI is not available on iPadOS in the European Union because of language and regional restrictions. Buyers should check the eligibility of features instead of assuming the product’s software demos are a guarantee of immediate access.
Battery life is still rated up to 10 hours of video playback or Web browsing over Wi-Fi. The battery supports fast charging to about 50% in 30 minutes but this requires a 35W+ adapter, sold separately. Apple provides a 20W adapter.
More capable Mini with a higher starting price
Apple’s 2024 iPad mini starts at $499 with 128GB of storage. The new model still starts at 128GB of storage, but it costs $200 more than the previous launch. The new Smart Folio is priced at $79, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is also $79, and the Apple Pencil Pro is $129. These are sold separately.
Its brighter OLED screen, lighter weight and water resistance are handy improvements for those who read outdoors, sketch with the Apple pencil or use a tablet out in the field. The 2024 mini also has a slimmer rationale for owners who primarily browse, stream and take notes to replace it. Apple has enhanced its smallest iPad’s capabilities to handle demanding jobs, but charges a lot more money without exceeding the advertised battery life or screen refresh rate.